An interesting side note ... Ernest Hemmingway used this poem as the title of his book "For Whom the Bell Tolls" that he published in 1940.

The closing line of the novel is the closing line of the poem ..."Therefore, send not to know for whom the bell tolls, it tolls for thee."

For Whom the Bell Tolls

These famous words by John Donne were not originally written as a poem - the passage is taken fromn the 1624 Meditation 17, from Devotions Upon Emergent Occasions and is prose. The differences are reflected below.

church bell
Click the Bell!

"For Whom the Bell Tolls"

A Poem by John Donne

No is an island,
Entire of itself.
Each is a piece of the continent,
A part of the main.
If a clod be washed away by the sea,
Europe is the less.
As well as if a promontory were.
As well as if a manner of thine own
Or of thine friend's were.
Each man's death diminishes me,
For I am involved in mankind.
Therefore, send not to know
For whom the bell tolls,
It tolls for thee.

"Devotions Upon Emergent Occasions"
Meditation 17

By John Donne

"No man is an island, entire of itself; everyman is a piece of the continent, a part of the main. If a clod be washed away by the sea, Eurpoe is the less, as well as if a promontory were, as well as if a manor of thy friend's or of thine own were. Any man's death diminishes me, because I am involved in mankind; and therefore never send to know for whom the bell tolls; it tolls for thee..."

Back to Lesson 11 Assignment Page